Sick yobs are defecating in the holes at Hounslow Heath golf club as part of a growing campaign of vandalism and violence.

Sick yobs are defecating in the holes at Hounslow Heath golf club as part of a growing campaign of vandalism and violence.

A handful of troublemakers have been targeting the popular course by tearing up greens with their bikes, yelling racist abuse at staff and even shooting one golfer with an air rifle.

Rob Pointon, manager of the pay-and-play club in Staines Road, Hounslow, estimates the cost of the damage at £10,000 in the last three months alone.

He believes the thugs responsible are deliberately targeting the picturesque course, which is leased by Hounslow Council, because they believe it's part of the Heath and should remain public land.

"We're not telling people they can't walk through the course, we just want them to show a bit of respect," he told the Chronicle. "We have a good relationship with police but these youths seem to come here after being driven off nearby estates because they know there are plenty of places to hide."

Last month four bikers sped around the course for more than an hour, performing 'doughnuts' on the greens, before police arrived.

And two weeks ago a golfer was lucky to escape without serious injury after being shot with an air rifle.